In those golden days of early motherhood, I spent a huge percentage of my time in Kew Gardens… Whiling away the (often sleep-deprived) hours by wandering the vast acreage of paths and meadows of this glorious place. I could be found either wheeling a slumbering babe , or (more often than not) chasing after a determined toddler! It’s a place I still miss now, as inevitably I never get the time to visit when we are at home…
Unless you are uber well-off, you don’t get much in a way of garden space in that particular corner of the world, and therefore undoubtedly Kew is honorary garden and oasis of tranquillity to many a South West Londoner (despite the planes that can come thundering in on that particular flight path)!
It’s a place that holds many a fond and hazy memory to me for other reasons too. My little Sister and Brother in Law held their stunningly beautiful (and quite quintessentially English) Wedding here too a couple of years ago – made all the more unforgettable thanks to the “creative” antics of my offspring beforehand!!…
I think that all of those fond memories have added up over the years, and are part of the reason that whatever city we now live in, I can often be found heading to the botanical gardens there, especially when I am in need of a little inner peace, reflection, contemplation and all other acts of navel gazing…
Copenhagen’s Botanical Gardens for example I will remember for the regal resident wildlife and beautiful outdoor space – whilst Munich’s provides an impressive 22 hectares of Gardens to explore…
On this particular visit, the palm houses and greenhouses were calling – as well you might imagine when temperatures outside are well below freezing, and there’s snow under foot…
This time I went with a group of photographer friends. As is usually the case when we do something like this, we tend to disperse once we get there to leave each other to our own creative devices/inner peace missions, bumping into each other occasionally, then meeting up at the end to congratulate or commiserate each other on creative efforts…
And within minutes of focussing on the abundant horticultural life here (all the more special when everything in your own garden is either half dead, completely dead, or under a thick layer of ice) it didn’t take long before I found myself entering another world – a world where the plant is king. Even this tortoise thinks so.
I love that he looks like he is guarding a prize mushroom (something I didn’t even notice until I was editing the pics later on!) – I wonder if he’s entering some kind of reptilian gardening competition?!)…
And as was often the case with any time spent in my beloved Kew, the minutes and the hours sped past in a blur.
I will go back to the Botanischer Gartens however, when the weather is feeling slightly kinder – to explore the outside space a bit more thoroughly (although due to the adverse weather this time around, I can confirm that the Café is good, as are the pretzels!)….
It’s easy to find – either walk through the equally glorious Nymphenburg Park, or get the number 17 tram all the way there (from Sendlingor Tor, Karlspltaz, or Hauptbahnhof) and it will kindly drop you off right outside the door. Entrance is 5 Euros which currently includes entrance to the butterfly exhibit. Have you ever tried taking a pictures in one of these places? My recent Silent Sunday picture is honestly perhaps the only decent photograph I managed to take of them on that particular day – such flighty subjects…
Victoria says
Amazing pictures & thank you for putting the link to your blog about Lucies weddings. I’m now really laughing to myself about R&S!! What on earth are they going to do at mine!!! Lol!xx
Emma says
I dread to think!! xx
3yearsandhome says
I am crying laughing. CRYING! I hadn’t read the post about your sister’s wedding. Just hilarious.
bavaria says
I shall message you the picture of him first thing in the morning. Still makes me laugh now! :D xx
Trish says
I’m like a broken record, always marvelling at your photography talents. Just stunning.
Not exactly Kew gardens, but one of my favourite haunts when Rory was little was our local garden centre, Baytree. It came to the rescue many an afternoon.
bavaria says
Thank you Trish, you are too kind! I do miss an English Garden centre too… A good wander, and then a cream tea afterwards? Perfection! :D
Funky Wellies says
I am making notes of all these great places to go to when I finally get to visit München! xx
bavaria says
You must, you must! :D Thank you! xx
76sunflowers says
It looks like an amazing place. I love the idea of the alone time at such places. Must do something similar one day.
bavaria says
It’s definitely a nice way to catch up with yourself! :D Thank you! :)
Hellie's Corner says
I can think of worse places to spend time wondering around… great photo’s, I look forward to seeing your outside one’s. #howdoesyourgardengrow
bavaria says
Thanks so much Hellie! :)
Charmaine @ weald says
great shots, I love the one of the tortoise especially! x
bavaria says
Thanks so much Charmaine, he might be my favourite too! :D
Sarah - The Puffin Diaries says
So wonderful to see some exotic blooms with plenty of punchy colour, to cheer us during these cold months. Your close up shots are exquisitely beautiful and the tortoise is a real character.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Sarah, that’s very kind of you! :)
Sara (@mumturnedmom) says
Just beautiful! I used to do the same when my older two were tiny, spend hours in the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Absolutely one of my favourite places, I miss it. These photos are just wonderful, and it’s so nice to see some colour, all white here still! #HDYGG
bavaria says
Thanks so much Sara! I would love to visit the Botanic Gardens in Edinburg, they sound so lovely too! :)
older mum in a muddle says
Stunning, simply stunning photography…. I used to live in West London, and used to go to Kew gardens quite often, a lovely place to hang out and take children. Love the tortoise guarding the mushroom! X
bavaria says
Thank you… I wonder if we ever crossed paths without knowing! :) xx
Amanda says
Beautiful photos, that teeny tiny mushroom is adorable
bavaria says
Thank you Amanda! :)
Emma @ Tales of a Greenwood says
Stunning, I enjoyed looking at each and every picture. I have always wanted to go to Kew, but haven’t made it there yet. One day :)
bavaria says
Thanks so much Emma… :)
Mammasaurus says
WOW. Just wow. Those photos are .
I love the mushroom guarding tortoise – I too didn’t spot it at first! What an amazing capture. Delicate blooms and macro shots how I am a sucker for thee.
Thank you so much for joining in and sharing – I really have enjoyed these a LOT!
bavaria says
I am really pleased you like them, thank you! :)
Claudia says
what absolutely gorgeous pictures and what a wonderful place to go on the beginning stages of motherhood. or any stage actually
bavaria says
Thanks so much Claudia! :)
Iona@redpeffer says
What fabulous photographs! Just lovely to enjoy sitting here as I freeze at home-takes my mind away from it all. I was toying with visiting the butterfly farm this weekend-seeing these has sold me on it-we’re definitely going now :)
bavaria says
Thank you Iona! :) I hope you enjoy your visit to the butterfly farm! :)
Indiapink says
Stunning photos Emma, I wish I could wander around the gardens in Munich with you, the flower photos are beautiful! I love the tiny mushroom too, so sweet.
(And yes I do love being called a princess, thank you!!) xx
bavaria says
Thank you Luce…. I knew you would like that! :D xxx
The Reading Residence says
Beautiful photos – just stunning x
bavaria says
Thank you! :) x
Alexandra Mercer says
Stunning flowers #HDYGG
bavaria says
Thank you Alexandra! :)
CarmensTravelTips says
Wonderful photos Emma. My husband worked in the UK for several years and lived near Kew Gardens. It’s a beautiful place to host a wedding event.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Carmen! It is a lovely area isn’t it? :)
Samantha @mytanfeet says
Wow beautiful photos! That would be simply a dreamy gorgeous place to have a wedding
bavaria says
It was dreamlike…. Even my son’s green hair was dreamlike, but not in that good a way! :D Thank you! :)
Mary @over40andamumtoone says
Wonderful photos
bavaria says
Thank you Mary! :)
Cakesphotoslife (Angie) says
SO Beautiful, I wish I had the chance to just go and take photos these but I dont as I feel guilty even thinking about it x
bavaria says
One day Angie! :) Thank you! :) x
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I really enjoyed the few hours I spent in Kew Gardens, too. It seems like a fab place to while away the hours with youngsters. I can’t tell exactly what you photographed in the third picture but that one is my favorite of the lot.
bavaria says
Thank you Michele… Do you know what? I have no idea what it is! :D If anyone can enlighten me as to which plant?!?! :D
Sarah@The View From the Table says
Beautiful pictures and memories of Kew too. I love botanical gardens and hold the same memories of baby and toddler days at Edinburgh’s botanical garden.. Lovely post x
bavaria says
I have yet to make it to Edinburgh…. One day! Thank you xx
Cat says
That sounds such a lovely way to spend the day.
bavaria says
Thanks Cat… It was indeed! :)
Sonya Cisco says
Just incredible photography! Am a little in love with the tortoise!
bavaria says
He is just too sweet isn’t he? A wise old soul! :D Thank you! x
Carolin says
Beautiful photos. I’ve heard some many great thing’s about Munich’s Botanischen Garten, but I have never actually been x
bavaria says
If you get the chance you should Carolin, I am sure you would love it! Thank you! :) x
MummyNeverSleeps says
Wow Emma! You are really talented with that camera of yours! Gorgeous :)
bavaria says
Thanks so much! :)
Helen The good life mum says
love kew gardens spent many a day enjoying time there that mushroom is so dainty
bavaria says
Gorgeous isn’t it? I miss it so much! :) x
Midlife Singlemum says
Me to DD: Do you want to see a picture of a princess getting married?
DD seeing the photo of your little sister: Ohhh it’s so beautiful!
bavaria says
She will absolutely LOVE being called a princess! :D Thank you Rachel! :)
valerie rees says
Lovely photos, Emma, looks like one to add to my list of gardens to visit.
bavaria says
Thank you! xx
maggy, red ted art says
Aww what beautiful photos and what happy memories!
bavaria says
Thank you Maggy! :)
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Your photos are stunning, especially the wedding snap
bavaria says
I’m glad you like them, thank you! :)
Emma says
Ooooh, I love Kew Gardens :-)
Your photo’s are amazing Emma. I especially love the tortoise. xx
bavaria says
Thank you! He might be my favourite too… :D xx
Louisa says
No triffids then? ; ) Great pics and your sister looks fabulous – beautiful dress.
bavaria says
Thanks Louisa, it suited her totally! :) Didn’t spot any triffids, but I reckon there were some! :D
Mary @AsturianDiary says
You have outdone yourself with these photos Emma. Spectacular. And you simultaneously managed to make me feel madly nostalgic for Kew Gardens, despite only having been there once, and that many moons ago, in childhood. Beautiful post.
bavaria says
Thanks so much for the lovely comment Mary! :) x
Leslie says
Stunning photos!
bavaria says
Thanks Leslie! :)